One of the most challenging communication genres in business is giving constructive feedback. We have all received feedback from people and leave wondering what the ‘hidden agenda’ is, rather than it being a constructive, professional, adult conversation. I know in the industry I was in before (music), ‘feedback’ could be a form of bullying, was motivated by envy or could be used to undermine your confidence.
I am also aware of people starting feedback with “Don’t take offence but…” (and then you brace yourself for the onslaught of ‘feedback’). Another ridiculous feedback style is the “Just saying”, which is equally based around the agenda of the person “just saying”.
However, feedback is useful and an essential way for teams, families, and relationships to work. An individual might not know they are annoying someone else, or that their method of working isn’t advantageous to the whole team. How we give feedback, however, is important. We don’t want the other person to become defensive and as Superstar Communicators we have to deliver any feedback in a constructive, professional way, that is respectful to the other person. In the latest Superstar Communicator Podcast I share top tips to delivering constructive Feedback.
As a summary, here are the top tips:
1. Plan what you are going to say
2. Know your audience. (I.e. the person you are going to speak to), and plan based on this.
3. Choose an appropriate time and place to deliver the feedback.
4. Be aware of your body language.
5. Listen and allow the other person to discuss the feedback.
The podcast goes into a lot more detail!
Calm down dear: dealing with a disruptive team member